Anthony Seibold committed to South Sydney’s 2019 title charge
ANTHONY Seibold says he couldn’t resist a once-in-a-lifetime chance to coach the Broncos and is prepared to weather a firestorm at Souths to honour his deal with the Rabbitohs.
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ANTHONY Seibold says he couldn’t resist a once-in-a-lifetime chance to coach the Broncos and is prepared to weather a firestorm at Souths to honour his deal with the Rabbitohs.
In his first interview since signing with the Broncos for 2020, Seibold is adamant he will not walk out on Souths and detailed the reasons for signing a four-year deal with Queensland’s flagship club.
Seibold was on Monday rocked by a report that Souths bosses are ready to enter negotiations with Brisbane to broker an immediate swap with Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, but the Rabbitohs mentor expects to be at Redfern in 2019.
South Sydney’s coaching staff are due back on Wednesday and Seibold is adamant he will be at Redfern planning a title assault next year unless he is punted by Rabbitohs bosses.
“I’m ready to go and work at Souths,” he said.
“Unless I’m told otherwise, I am committed and will push ahead as planned.”
Asked if he will be at Brisbane in 2019, Seibold, a former Broncos lower-grader, said: “To be fair, it’s a hard one to answer. The only people that can answer that are the Rabbitohs and potentially Wayne (Bennett).
“But my intention is to start on Wednesday at South Sydney.
“I am very well planned for next year regardless of what’s been reported.
“I have spoken to every single player in our group who is going to be there in 2019 and they know the position and the reasons for me going to the Broncos in 2020.
“They are disappointed I’m going because I’d like to think they improved as people and players.”
Seibold admits ringing Souths owner Russell Crowe to inform the Hollywood megastar he would be joining the Broncos was one of the toughest moments of his life.
“Russell has been very good for me,” said Rockhampton product Seibold, who has three daughters.
“I have the utmost respect for him and I hope Russell respected the fact I had the decency to call him directly and speak to him.
“I love Souths and I love the players for the rest of my days. But I told Russell I made a decision that was best for me and my family.
“I wanted to go home and I’m going home to the Broncos. If I didn’t take the opportunity this time, it may never have come up again.
“Obviously Souths are disappointed in my answer but I feel I have been transparent regardless of the commentary that has been going on in the media.
“I made a decision to go back to the Broncos in 2020 for personal reasons.
“It’s about me going home for me and my family. It’s one I didn’t take lightly, that’s for sure.”
Broncos legends have slammed Brisbane’s interview process as a sham, claiming the Seibold deal was done months ago, but the Souths coach lashed suggestions he dudded the Rabbitohs.
“The fact of the matter is I didn’t sign a contract with the Broncos until last Wednesday,” he said.
“I didn’t even have an offer on the table to coach them until last week.
“The first contact I had with Brisbane was the week of October 8. I was contacted by the Broncos to see if I was interested in having a chat with Karl Morris (chairman), Paul White (CEO) and Darren Lockyer and I went through the interview process.”
“I have been transparent with everything I did.”
Seibold, who attended Souths hooker Damien Cook’s wedding last Friday, says he doesn’t fear a fan and player backlash next season amid reports Rabbitohs players are filthy on him.
“I was sitting with Rabbitohs players at Damien’s wedding the other day and everything was fine,” he said.
“I would like to think the Rabbitohs were in a better position at the end of last year than they were at the beginning.
“I’m committed to the players and the club … but ultimately I will be judged by my actions.”
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Originally published as Anthony Seibold committed to South Sydney’s 2019 title charge